In The News

In pursuing our vision, we believe that it is important to provide the best and most up-to-date information possible about our work , what drives it, and the grantees and partners who move it forward—as well as to make connections among people and organizations who are working toward common goals.

The Haas Pavilion at U.C. Berkeley will soon undergo a major renovation. Fund Chair Walter J. Haas reflected on what the improvements will mean for athletes, coaches and Bears fans, as well as what this gift would have meant to his dad: “My father was a devoted Cal alum, and he believed in the power of sports to galvanize not only a team but the entire community. This gift embodies his legacy.” (August 2014)

Philanthropy leaders, including the Fund's president, Ira Hirschfield, speak out in support of immigration reform. As they state in their joint op-ed, "Getting reform right means keeping our core values front and center, and Californians are showing the way forward." (April 2013)

In this article, Eric Cohen discusses a crucial element of the immigration story that is too often ignored – the barriers preventing millions of eligible immigrants from becoming American citizens. (April 2013)

In this blog post for the Center for Effective Philanthropy, Linda Wood, senior director of leadership and grantmaking, describes why the Haas, Jr. Fund remains committed to providing unrestricted general operating support to grantees. At the same time, she notes that this type of support is not enough if foundations want their grantees to focus on strengthening board and staff leadership. (October 2012)

Cal's Office of Equity and Inclusion partners with a new cutting-edge data management system, where myriad data on diversity at Berkeley is captured and made easily accessible to administrators, staff and students. (September 2012)

With the 2010 census count around the corner, a group of private foundations are working with nonprofit partners across California to make sure everyone is counted. As the Contra Costa Times reports, the group is focusing their outreach efforts to connect with hard-to-reach communities who are often left out of the critical count. (December 2009)

While enormous inequities for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people remain a painful reality in the U.S., the past ten years have included remarkable progress in the struggle for equal rights. The San Francisco Chronicle covers the release of a new report on the decade's gains, and the challenges that still lie ahead. (December 2009)

As opponents of California's Prop 8 continue to strategize about next steps for making marriage equality a reality across the state and country, the Haas, Jr. Fund's Program Director Matt Foreman weighs in on the challenges ahead. (July 2009)